200,000 anti-Maduro protesters signed a petition that called for a recall referendum but it was halted because government officials believed not all signatures were legitimate.

The protests come as both sides of government continue to blame each other for the economic crisis.

Mr. Maduro has accused the US and the opposition of trying to overthrow him to “lay their hands on Venezuela’s oil riches”. The country is facing widespread food shortages and spiraling inflation.

Central Italy suffers two forceful earthquakes

A 6.1 magnitude earthquake has hit central Italy only hours after a 5.5 quake struck the same region. The area is only 80 kilometres outside of the region hit in August by an earthquake which killed 300 people.

While some infrastructure in Visso was damaged, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said the earthquakes were shallow and have caused no deaths or injuries.

“We don’t have any reported victims, but we’re in the dark and under a downpour,” said local mayor Mauro Falcucci, according to state news agency ANSA.

Mosquitoes employed to curb spread of Zika virus

Millions of mosquitoes will be deliberately infected with an anti-virus bug in an attempt to prevent the spread of Zika. The $18 million international scheme will use a bug called Wolbachia to target an insect’s ability to spread viruses to humans.

Partially funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the “vaccinated” mosquitoes will be released across Brazil and Colombia in early 2017. Dr Trevor Mundel, spokesman for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation said, “Wolbachia could be a revolutionary protection against mosquito-borne disease.”

“It’s affordable, sustainable and appears to provide protection against Zika, dengue and a host of other viruses.”

The Old City is home to Muslim, Christian, and Jewish holy sites and sits in the middle of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The UN has also criticised Israel for its refusal to allow them access to the holy sites in order to determine their status.

Students demand free tuition in Cape Town

Police have fired stun grenades, water cannons, and tear gas on students as they fight for free education across South Africa. An Al Jazeera reporter said at least one person was injured during the confrontation with police. Students were refusing to leave during the confrontation, demanding free tuition which will help close the countries inequality gap.

Protests have been ongoing since last year and have put pressure on the government to reform. On Wednesday, Finance Minister Pravin Gordham said he would cap tuition fees for 2017. – Compiled from web sources by Sinéad Fogarty, Alicia Camilleri, and Samantha Besgrove